Hi everyone,

I am going to have surgery on my foot, and will be out of commission...i.e. sedentary for a month or two. It doesn't seem to make sense to cut my protein gram intake to 50% of my lean body mass, because my body would need the extra food for base energy and healing.

Does anyone have any insight on which multiplier I should use???

Thanks!

-Rich

Your suspicions are correct, you WILL need to make some adjustments, as you are not going to be as active, but you will still need more protein than what "sedentary" gives you for your protein needs.

However, I am not sure of which factor you would use to determine this. I have 2 guesses, either go up one activity level from sedentary, or just drop one activity leve from where you are. I don't know which one is right, but I imagine the answer is something like that.

I bet the folks at Zone Labs will be able to answer the question and give you a more accurate answer.

Rich, unfortunately I've become a pro at having surgery. Long story there, my most recent one begin 3 months ago, but maybe the way I've been doing it will give you some ideas. For starters, Dr. Sears once suggested to me to try increasing by 1 block a day for a week or two prior to the procedure. I've found there's no noticeable difference whether I do this or not. After surgery I follow the Bodyfat Calculator recommendation for my current activity level at the time (aka Sedentary) and then I increase over the following weeks as my activity begins to increase again, keeping it in line with the calculator recommendations. My usual protein requirement is 13 - 14 blocks (between Active and Very Active). In the first weeks following surgery it goes down to 11 blocks, the minimum for an adult. Don’t worry that you’ll go too low in protein when using the calculator. To my knowledge the Bodyfat Calculator won’t recommend less than 11 blocks.

Another tip, I’ve found it helps to take a magnesium supplement in the post-op weeks, or some extra magnesium if you already take some. Magnesium is calming and it’s also helpful for keeping things regular (anesthesia and pain killers, as well as inactivity are constipating). You can’t overdose on magnesium. If you take more than you need, you’ll excrete it. Be sure it includes elemental magnesium, such as magnesium citrate (magnesium glycinate will not have the same effect).

Feel free to ask me more about my postop experiences. I’m glad to share the info. Good luck with your procedure and recovery.

I think that Sue's advice sounds pretty close to what it should be, but I would be careful not to drop to a sedentary level. Even if activities are sedentary, the body needs the protein for healing. Would 11 blocks for a woman-or 14 blocks for a man-be enough protein for tissue repair? My guess is NO, based on Zone definitions of protein requirements. However, the Zone is naturally a higher protein diet than the standard American diet, and so we are naturally getting more than the average American does, anyway.

It is a really good question!

Hi Richard

You could do upper body exercises so that you arent totally sedentary. Not at the start but after when you are feeling able after your surgery. Do you go to a gym? If so, I am sure the staff could recommend lots of exercises. If you dont go to a gym ask the doctor or you could Google.

Ahh, good idea, Margaret! Upper body exercises are a great idea.

When I broke my leg (years ago), I remember going to PT and working out on some kind of an arm cycle. It was just like pedals on a bike, but meant for the arms to go around and around. Was OK as an aerobic workout, and then some upper body strength building would complement that.